Reality television veteran Rick Devens has officially made history. He was crowned the winner of Big Brother Season 28 during the dramatic October 1 finale. Devens secured the championship title in a decisive 6-1 jury vote over runner-up Taylor Brown. This victory followed a strategic and emotionally charged final-three eviction that reshaped the end of the game.
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Verify & Continue ReadingThe path to the finale involved high-stakes decision-making. Heading into the final three, Devens was joined by Taylor Brown and his closest ally in the house, Drew Campbell. Devens frequently referred to Campbell as his son within the game. Having previously promised Campbell a spot in the final two chairs, Devens faced a monumental crossroads after winning the final part of the Head of Household competition.
The Last-Minute Pitch That Changed the Game
Devens decided to cut Campbell after a strategic pitch from Brown on the night before the finale. Brown warned Devens that sitting next to Campbell in front of the jury would be a fatal mistake. She explicitly stated she would withhold her own vote and ensure juror LaTrice “LaLa” Verrett did the same.
Realizing that votes from Melody Morris and Barrett Pfeiffer likely favored Campbell, Devens calculated that keeping his original promise could cost him the grand prize. Weighing emotional loyalty against his path to victory, Devens chose strategy over sentiment. He evicted Campbell in third place, which paved the way for a final two showdown with Brown.
Despite the eleventh-hour betrayal, Campbell cast his vote in favor of Devens to demonstrate respect for his gameplay. The final jury tally resulted in a 6-1 win for Devens. Verrett cast the sole vote for Brown.
A Historic Financial Victory
Devens’ victory marks a major milestone in reality television history. He became the first former Survivor contestant to win the American Big Brother franchise. He also cemented his status as the highest-earning winner in the show’s history.
Devens won the $750,000 grand prize. He also walked away with an extra $10,000 from the season’s Pharaoh’s Curse twist, alongside an additional $50,000 after viewers crowned him America’s Favorite Player. This brought his total seasonal earnings to a staggering $810,000.
Key Strategic Moves of Season 28
Devens’ gameplay throughout Season 28 featured resilience and aggressive competition prowess. He entered the house with an immediate target on his back as a designated reality TV “Icon” alongside Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares and Big Brother 26 alum Angela Murray. Despite this, Devens managed to stay off the block until week eight.
His resume included multiple competition wins and high-profile moves. Most notably, he deployed the Diamond Power of Veto. Secured via a viewer vote in the BB Time Capsule twist, Devens used the power to pull Valladares off the block. He then named Kamuela Kirk as the replacement nominee, bypassing the reigning Head of Household’s nominations to execute a major target removal.
Complete Biography & Game Profile: Rick Devens
To understand Rick Devens’ historic Big Brother victory, it helps to examine his reality television journey, competition statistics, and overall game architecture across multiple franchises.
Player Profile Table
| Game Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Devens Jr. |
| Primary Profession | News Anchor, Morning Radio Personality, Reality TV Star |
| Reality TV Debut | Survivor: Edge of Extinction (Season 38, 2019) |
| Big Brother Season | Big Brother 28 (2026) |
| Key Alliances | The Icons (with Dee Valladares and Angela Murray) |
| Total Career Winnings | $810,000 (BB28 Grand Prize, AFP, and Pharaoh’s Curse) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rick Devens
Did Rick Devens play Survivor before winning Big Brother?
Yes. Rick Devens competed on Survivor: Edge of Extinction in 2019. He became a breakout fan favorite, returned from the Edge, and finished in fourth place. He later returned for Survivor 50, finishing in seventh place.
How much money did Rick Devens win on Big Brother 28?
Devens earned a total of $810,000. This includes the $750,000 first-place grand prize, $50,000 for winning America’s Favorite Player, and $10,000 won earlier in the season via the Pharaoh’s Curse.
Who did Rick Devens evict in the final three?
Devens evicted his close ally Drew Campbell in third place after winning the final Head of Household competition. He chose to take Taylor Brown with him to the final two chairs.
What powers did Rick Devens win during Big Brother 28?
Devens won the Diamond Power of Veto via the BB Time Capsule twist. This allowed him to pull an ally off the block and name the replacement nominee himself.
Is Rick Devens the first Survivor player to win Big Brother?
Yes. While other players crossed between the two CBS franchises-such as Hayden Moss and Caleb Reynolds, who transitioned from Big Brother to Survivor-Devens is the first established US Survivor alumnus to win the US version of Big Brother.
